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Member Groups

AAJ members are a distinct group of practitioners—lawyers, paralegals, law professors, law students, and graduates—working together to ensure that every American has access to justice. Members have a wide range of experience—some are new to the profession, while others are seasoned advocates. Their political affiliations and beliefs are diverse; and they live and practice law in small towns, urban centers, and around the globe. AAJ’s member groups offer opportunities for leadership, authorship, and speaking engagements; and involvement with diversity, advocacy, and public service initiatives.

Learn more about all AAJ membership levels and benefits. For additional information, please email membership@justice.org or call 800.424.2727 or 202.965.3500, ext. 8611.

Member Groups

The New Lawyers Division (NLD) serves the needs of AAJ members who are under the age of 35 or have been practicing for no more than 10 years. Through networking, leadership opportunities, continuing education, and special events, NLD members find the camaraderie and support they need to excel in representing individuals and serving their communities. The group also supports AAJ with membership drives and fundraising efforts throughout the year.

Established in 1992, the Minority Caucus is responsible for recommending and developing educational opportunities, networking programs, and other activities of special interest to AAJ members of a minority. AAJ’s Minority Caucus helps develop programs to increase minority membership and participation in leadership roles, as well as joint programs with other AAJ Sections and special interest groups.

The Women Trial Lawyers Caucus (WTLC) fosters an environment within AAJ where women trial lawyers can encourage and learn from one another. Through networking events, CLE courses, and leadership awards and opportunities, women find the support they need to take their practice to the next level. Today, more than 3,000 women connect with one another and share experiences, lessons learned, and knowledge.

The LGBT Caucus’ mission is to provide a safe, open, and honest environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender AAJ members to discuss and confront issues that arise in their day-to-day practices and legal communities. The caucus focuses on the following: increasing awareness and understanding of the issues AAJ’s LGBT members face; developing networking and educational programs; increasing LGBT membership in AAJ; augmenting participation of LGBT members in leadership roles; and working on joint programs with other AAJ Sections and caucuses.

The Republican Trial Lawyers Caucus (RTLC) is a group of AAJ members dedicated to reaching out to and creating ties with pro-civil-justice Republicans in the U.S. Congress to find issues of common interest, as well as to expanding membership and involvement in AAJ.

Established in 2005, the Canadian Caucus is for Canadian members of AAJ to share information about the rights of Canadians in the civil justice system and other Canadian legal issues, to provide legal education relevant to Canadian members attending AAJ conventions, and to further AAJ’s mission.

AAJ Paralegal Affiliates have membership in an affiliated unit of AAJ, and must be sponsored by a Regular, Sustaining, Life or President’s Club member of AAJ in good standing. Paralegal Affiliates may join AAJ Sections and have access to a number of benefits and programs designed to advance their professional education and growth, including networking, educational opportunities, and the Advocate Capital/AAJ Paralegal of the Year Award at each annual convention.

AAJ Law Student members have access to a number of benefits and programs designed to advance their professional education and growth. Law Student members have the opportunity to participate in AAJ’s annual National Student Trial Advocacy Competition (STAC), the nation’s premier mock trial competition.

AAJ has 18 Sections and more than 100 Litigation Groups focused on specific areas of practice and types of cases. Join a Section or Litigation Group to gain access to list servers, knowledge, documents, and strategies that work.